DOL Cuts Insurance Paperwork: Less Hassle for Businesses

2026-14917, Electronic Disclosure by Group Health Plans Under ERISA

Group health plans can soon share important info online instead of paper, making it easier and cheaper for everyone. If this rule passes, plan administrators must notify members about electronic disclosures but still offer paper copies if requested. This change affects anyone in group health plans under ERISA and aims to save time and money starting after the rule is finalized.

2026-11140, Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations

Starting soon, health plans and insurers must share clearer info when they pay or deny surprise medical bills. They’ll use special codes to explain these decisions, especially when dealing with folks they don’t have contracts with. This helps patients and providers understand bills better and speeds up fixing disputes, with no extra costs for most people.

2026-05492, Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary: Notice of Court Vacatur

The court has canceled the Department of Labor’s 2024 rule that changed who counts as a trusted investment advisor for retirement plans. Starting April 20, 2026, the old rules from 2020 will be back in charge, affecting financial advisors and retirement plan managers. This means advisors should review their practices to stay on the right side of the law and avoid costly mistakes.

2025-14281, Pooled Employer Plans: Big Plans for Small Businesses

Small businesses get a big boost with new guidance on pooled employer plans (PEPs), which help them offer better, cheaper retirement savings options. The government is asking for feedback to create clear rules that make joining these plans easier and more affordable. Starting soon, these changes aim to save workers money and help small employers attract great employees.

2026-17143, Exemption for Certain Prohibited Transactions Involving Liberty Puerto Rico 401(k) Savings Plan (the Plan or the Applicant) Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico

This exemption permits the Plan's prior acquisition, holding, and sale of certain stock rights (the Rights) to purchase shares of stock in Liberty Latin America Ltd. (LLA). Absent an exemption, these transactions would be prohibited by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).

2026-17142, Exemption Involving Hawai'i Pacific Health and Its Subsidiary: Straub Clinic & Hospital Located in Honolulu, Hawaii

This exemption permits the Hawai[revaps]i Pacific Health Retirement Plan (the Plan) to sell property (the Property) to Straub Clinic & Hospital (Straub) for the greater of $16,247,000 or 110% of the Appraised Value of the Property as of the date of the sale (the Sale). Absent this exemption, the Sale would violate certain prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).

Previous: 2025-13656, Notification of the Removal of Conditions of Entry on Vessels Arriving From the Republic of Djibouti

Good news for ships coming from Djibouti! The Coast Guard is dropping the extra entry rules that used to slow them down. This means smoother sailing and faster arrivals with no extra fees or delays starting now.

Next: 2025-13658, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is hosting a public webinar to talk about managing Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass fishing. Fishermen, seafood lovers, and coastal communities will hear about possible changes to fishing rules that could affect when and how much fish can be caught. The meeting is a chance to stay informed and have a say before any new rules roll out.